RECRUITS TRAINING SCHOOL (RTS)

Historical Background

In 1975, Recruits Training School (RTS) was established as a part of Training Wing of BAF Base Zahurul Haque. From 17 January 1981 RTS started functioning as an independent unit under the administrative control of BAF Base Zahurul Haque. RTS has come a long way since its inception and has grown both vertically and horizontally and expended from stage to stage over the year. Simultaneously there has been immense contribution towards infrastructural development and enrichment of its curriculum. Now RTS is under administrative control of BAF Base Bangabandhu.



RTS is very proud of producing more than 10,000 airmen so far who received initial and discipline training. This has immensely contributed in the human resource development of Bangladesh Air Force. Presently its facilities can train and accommodate 600 Recruits at a time. The training curriculum fully caters for all challenges and needs of producing high standard of airmen for BAF.

Location

RTS is located in the BAF C&M Unit Shamshernagar, which is located in the district of Moulavibazar. RTS provides conceivably the best environment for effective grooming, moulding and development of the Airmen of BAF.

Type of training imparted

The Primary role of RTS is to impart initial and disciplinary training to airman Recruits and other training as may be required by the BAF.

Training Philosophy

It is a place where the development of sense of discipline, hard Work, honour, patriotism and the acquisition of knowledge is fostered to the recruits to enable them to tackle appropriate military and academic subjects. They develop deep appreciation of airmen’s traditional code of behaviour and install in themselves the regimentation, obedience and discipline. Here a Recruit is trained to be a man of character who is committed, courageous and strong both mentally and physically. Thus RTS provides efficient and promising airmen to BAF.

The Faculty

In order to ensure high standard of training, selected officers and staffs are posted to RTS. In parade ground, sports field, academic classes, auditorium or dinning hall, the recruits are conducted and supervised by highly competent, devoted and inspiring staffs. Besides their independent but hearty investment of time and expertise, they all work in harmony with others so as to have the best of yield. Two Squadrons namely General Service Training Squadron (GST Sqn) and Education Training Squadron (E-r Sqn) are responsible for tile nine months long training of Recruits. GST Sqn is responsible to impart for General Service Training and regimentation which includes Foot drill, Arms Drill, Weapon Training and Firing, Field Craft and Minor Tactics, Physical Endurance test, Route march, Survival training, Games and Sports, Cross Country, Circuit Training etc. ET Sqn is responsible for the training on academic subjects like Spoken English, English, General Service knowledge, Disaster Management, Religious Studies, Bangladesh Air Force Law, Organisation & Administration, Security & Intelligence, JSSDM, Military History, Bangladesh Air Force Rules & Regulations, Computer, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Engineering Drawing, General Science and Office Management etc.

Training Curriculum

The Recruits training at RTS is designed to stimulate tlle physical and mental capabilities and potential of the recruits. The medium of instruction in RTS is English. To acd——natize Recruits with the RTS environments recruits are to study on Spoken English Subject. Tile English language laboratory is extensively used at this time to improve their phonetics and English Speaking capability. Such emphasis on English has been found to be very useful.

There is a Computer Laboratory in RTS to acquaint the recruits with the general ideas on computer. This subject will give the recruits the brief knowledge and able to operate the computer.

Selection criteria

Recruits with Secondary School Certificate(SSC) (Science) minimum GPA-B are enrolled in technical group and SSC (Humanities, Commerce & Agriculture Science) minimum GPA-B or equivalents are enrolled in non-technical group. Information & selection Centre, BAF performs the duty or recruitment under the direct guidance of Directorate of Recruitment, Air HQ.

Training life and Daily Activities

The 36 weeks of training life at RTS is challenging, tough, rigorous and extensive one. The young recruits take a few days to adjust with the high demanding busy training schedule of RTS. However, gradually they adjust with the state of affairs as time passes on. Three months later after passing the saluting test, the recruits are allowed to book out from the camp in holidays to relax and enjoy.

Phases of Training

To evaluate their depth and level of knowledge, an intake test is conducted immediately after arrival in RTS. The subjects for technical trade recruits are English, Higher MoUlematics and General Knowledge and for non-technical trade recruits subjects are English, General Mathematics and General Knowledge. From the beginning, all the academic subjects are taught as per syllabus. General Service training is spread throughout the training period with varied intensity. To evaluate the progress of both General Service and Academic Training, examinations are conducted in 2 phases; on the 12th and 23rd weeks respectively. After the 2nd Phase Test recruits are to undergo for a GDOC course for 08 weeks to develop their mental and physical faculties considering the overall safety and security of the air bases by various measures. Passing out parade rehearsals are conducted during the last three weeks to exhibit a very high standard of Parade to the guests and proud guardians of the recruits. Overall assessment of the trainees is based on the result of General Service Training, Education Training, Sports, Extra Curricular activities and general behavior.

Sports and Extra Curricular Activities

To inculcate a spirit of friendly competition among the recruits, they are divided in two houses i.e. EAGLE House & FALCON House basing on their service numbers. The competition includes drill, cross country, PT display, different indoors and outdoors games and sports, debate, General knowledge quiz, recitation, music and other extra curricular activities. Individual prizes are awarded on the occasions of Inter-house games, sports and literary competitions. Inter-house championship trophy is awarded on the overall results of games, sports, drill, and literary and cultural activities. Literary activities are conducted generally after dinner on weekends and holidays. Besides, discovering talents in the respective fields, such activities provide recreation and mental relaxation as well as a change from the rigorous training schedule. NABO BIMAN SENA, a school magazine is published at the end of every course.

Accommodation

Over the years RTS has been vastly expanded and developed in terms of architectural beauty and development of training, accommodation and recreational facilities. It houses in itself 20 class rooms, 32 office accommodations, an English language laboratory, a rich library, a physics laboratory, a chemistry laboratory, an auditorium cum cinema hall, an Armoury, a gymnasium with health and exercise equipment, prayer hall and games & sports fields. It has been designed to equip with modern military training systems. Recruits stay in their billets house-wise. In the same way their classrooms are also separated as per the house. The classes of the two houses are accommodated in two separate wings of the main building.

Conclusion

BAF is a dynamic equipment orientated organisation and is likely to further expand and modernize with the passage of time. RTS is trying its best to meet the requirement and challenges of 21st century. Thus, based on a vision for future and an orientation compatible with the modern Air Force, the curriculum, syllabus and precis are being continually reviewed, updated, modernised and upgraded. RTS has earned a reputation by providing thousands of high quality airmen for service to BAF. May Allah give us strength to train and provide good airmen to BAF and leave no stone unturned in fulfilling our responsibilities.